Sonbhadra: The death toll from the stone quarry collapse in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh has risen to four after rescue teams pulled out three additional bodies from beneath massive layers of debris late Sunday night, officials confirmed on Monday.
District Magistrate B. N. Singh said the bodies were recovered during overnight search operations that continued despite difficult terrain and unstable rubble. One of the victims was identified as 30-year-old Indrajit from Panari village in Obra, while the identities of the other two deceased are still being verified.
The quarry, located in the Obra area, caved in on Saturday evening, trapping several labourers who were working at the site. According to officials, the scale of the collapse—compounded by enormous boulders—has slowed down the clearing process. “The presence of large stones is making the operation painstakingly slow,” Additional Director General of Police (Varanasi Zone) Piyush Mordia had noted earlier.
Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma said police received the first alert around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, reporting that multiple workers were buried after a section of a quarry run by Krishna Mining Works gave way.
Based on a complaint filed by local resident Chhotu Yadav—who reported that his two brothers were among those trapped—police have registered a case against the quarry owner and his business partners, all of whom are from Obra. None of the accused have been arrested so far.
Meanwhile, the tragedy has triggered political outrage. Robertsganj MP Chotelal Kharwar of the Samajwadi Party accused local authorities of enabling illegal mining operations. He claimed that the quarry was allegedly being run by mining syndicates with support from elements within the police and administrative machinery.
Kharwar also alleged he was prevented from visiting families of those believed to be trapped. “There could still be 12 to 15 people under the debris. This region has seen repeated incidents due to unchecked illegal mining. Tribal communities are paying the price,” he said, demanding ₹50 lakh compensation and government jobs for the victims’ families.
Rescue teams remain on site as the search operation continues, with officials saying the focus is now on locating any remaining trapped workers amid concerns that the casualty count may rise further.
